Are you wondering how much sand you should add to your sand filter? Excessive sand in your filter can make backwash and rinsing to be ineffective.
Well, this article can help you figure out the type and amount of sand you should add to your filter. It is a guide that can work for most products on the market today, but I would recommend you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is Pool Sand Filter?
It is a type of pool filter that uses sand to trap algae, bacteria, dead bugs, and other contaminants. Sand is an excellent filtration media that is often used in different applications like septic systems, wastewater treatment, and treating drinking water.
To the naked eyes, sand for pool filter looks the same, but that is not the case. They are different types of sands, and you should ensure that you add the right one for your filter.
They include:
- Silica sand: It is mined and helps to trap particulates.
- Glass sand: It is made of recycled glass and can help to trap manganese and iron particles.
- Zeolite sand: It is made of volcanic rock minerals and helps to trap chloramines.
Determining How Much Sand to Add
Adding or replacing the sand in a swimming pool sand filter is a natural process. However, many people go wrong when figuring out how full their sand filters should be or how much sand to add to the filter tank.
It is vital to use the ideal amount of sand to ensure that your filter works effectively. Too much or too little sand can negatively affect the performance of your filter and compromise your facility’s health.
There are several ways you can figure out how much sand to add to your filter.
Owner’s Manual
If you are the kind of person who keeps the owner’s manual in a safe place and can find it with ease, lucky you. These manuals come with a guide on how to add the sand in the filter tank and the amount to add.
Google Search
If you cannot find your manual, then you should consider searching for the brand’s manual online. These brands list the manual online to ensure that you get an easy time when adding or replacing the sand.
Rule of the Thumb
If you can not find the manual or access the internet, I would recommend you play it safe by following the rule of the thumb. It states you leave about 6-inch of space between the top of the tank and the top of the sand.
That way, you can have the confidence of effective backwashing and rinsing when using your pool sand filter.
Below is a table that can guide you when adding sand to your filter tank:
| Tank Diameter | Filter Area Sq. Ft. | Pounds of Sand Need |
| 16-Inch | 1.40 | 100 |
| 19-Inch | 1.92 | 150 |
| 22-Inch | 2.64 | 250 |
| 24-Inch | 3.15 | 300 |
| 26-Inch | 3.69 | 350 |
Final Verdict
The above guide can help you add the right amount of sand to your pool sand filter. That way, you can have confidence that your model will work effectively to keep your swimming pool clean.
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